PRW
Published: June 3, 2014 10:24 am ET
Updated: June 3, 2014 10:27 am ET
A plastics recycler in Lincolnshire, England, has been fined 12,500 British pounds ($20,900) after a worker was severely injured when hit by a forklift because a pedestrian walkway had been blocked.
The worker at Eco Plastics, Robin Eddom, suffered internal bleeding and spinal damage and was forced into early retirement, Health and Safety at Work inspector Karin Abbott.
An investigation into the accident found that a pedestrian walkway had been blocked, with no alternative directions provided. Workers including Eddom had to use the same area as equipment. The forklift reversed into him.
“The incident was entirely preventable,” Abbott said. “Mr Eddom should have been able to use the designated walkway provided within the building, but this was not possible as this walkway was completely blocked by stored building materials and equipment."
In a statement Eco Plastics said it was “committed to our employees’ safety and well-being, having been awarded one of the highest standards of health and safety management in 2012.
“We take the welfare of our employees extremely seriously, and strongly regret that this incident took place. | 
